Nat’l Tymes News Desk – Abuja
A POLITICAL drama is reportedly unfolding in Abuja following claims that Sheikh Prof. Ibrahim Ahmad Maqari, Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, rejected an alleged N500 million offer to publicly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for another term.
According to a report circulating in Abuja, the Islamic scholar was allegedly approached with the huge cash offer to mount the pulpit and appeal to Nigerians to allow President Tinubu to complete his four-year term in office.
The report further claims that Sheikh Maqari rejected the proposal, saying he would rather lose his position than make such a declaration.
Sources cited in the report reportedly said the request was not directly for the Chief Imam to campaign for President Tinubu, but rather to appeal to Nigerians to allow the President to complete his constitutional term, similar to appeals reportedly made by some organisations and Islamic scholars.
The reported development comes at a time when the Tinubu administration is facing growing public criticism over the country’s economic difficulties and security challenges.
Nigeria continues to grapple with high living costs, poverty and food insecurity, while insecurity remains a major concern in several parts of the country. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported in June 2026 that poverty was estimated at about 63 per cent and that millions of Nigerians faced food insecurity.
Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks have also continued in the North-East, alongside kidnappings and other forms of violent crime in parts of the country. Recent reports have documented deadly attacks and mass abductions, despite intensified military operations.
Critics of the administration therefore argue that Nigerians are paying a heavy price for the economic reforms introduced since President Tinubu took office, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy and exchange-rate reforms.
Those measures have contributed to severe cost-of-living pressures, although the government and international financial institutions say the reforms have also improved some macroeconomic indicators and strengthened Nigeria’s fiscal and external position.
The political pressure is expected to intensify as Nigeria moves towards the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties and critics placing the economy, corruption, insecurity and living conditions at the centre of their attacks on the Tinubu administration.
Reuters recently reported widespread public dissatisfaction over living costs and insecurity. However, there is currently no official confirmation of the alleged N500 million offer.
As of the time of filing this report, Sheikh Prof. Ibrahim Maqari, the Presidency and the Office of the Chief Imam had not publicly confirmed or denied the allegation.
Nat’l Tymes News Desk will continue to monitor developments.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
